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Horticutral Lighting
What is UGR
UGR(Unified Glare Rating) is a common value for indoor lighting, it is a measure of potential discomfort glare experienced by people in interior lighting spaces.
Generally, the UGR value ranges from 5 to 40, the lower the number, the better.
UGR values for different applications
Depending on the difficulty of different visual tasks, different UGR values must be adhered to according to DIN EN 12464-1:
- Technical drawing: UGR ≤ 16
- Reading, writing, classrooms, computer work, control work: UGR ≤ 19
- Working in industry and crafts, reception: UGR ≤ 22
- Rough work, stairs: UGR ≤ 25
- Corridors: UGR ≤ 28
UGR value is not fixed
Most people get the wrong idea that the UGR is a fixed value. However, the UGR value is not really a property of a luminaire, and should not be used without context to evaluate glare, and the review of samples and consideration of the luminaire in context is recommended. When evaluating the URG, we should consider the brightness of the luminaire, the brightness of the surrounding environment, and the interaction of our position and viewing angle. The brightness of the luminaire is controllable, the other two factors are not controllable, so the UGR value is not fixed.
Many lighting manufacturers usually define their luminaires as UGR <19 or <22. However, it is incorrect to consider it as the feature of the luminaire, unless manufacturers provide further details such as room size, room reflectances, observer position, etc. Otherwise, in practice, this value may be lower or higher.
Approaches to minimize UGR value
Common approaches to minimize UGR value:
- Use luminaires with lower lumen packages.
- Choose luminaires with larger luminous surfaces.
- Choose lumiaires with well-shielded optics.
- Choose higher room surface reflectances to increase background luminance.
- Tighter luminaires spacings and increase the mounting height if possible.
AGC has some low UGR indoor luminaires such as highbay, and linear light, do not hesitate to contact us if you are searching for better UGR solutions.
